So, I've finally purchased & seen this film just yesterday; and I must say that I enjoyed it very much. If you are a fan of Earth, Wind & Fire, it is imperative that you watch this at least once to say that you've seen it. There are strengths as well as weaknesses about this film. First, allow us to start with the weaknesses: the dialogue in certain cases was a bit awkward and the screenplay's jargon could have been better written. A second weakness was the acting, in which some of it really wasn't too great. In my opinion, it all stems from a somewhat poorly written screenplay - if the writing is off, it makes the actors look out of place - even if the film consists of fabulous actors - Harvey Keitel being one and at times his delivery had an unusual, unnatural sound.
Some strengths included the wonderful music of the style that only Earth, Wind & Fire can possess. Another was the all-around message that the film was attempting to get across and in my eyes, that was pushing through your trials and tribulations no matter how rough the going gets. It also brought to the light differences between real artists and those who are just craving to be in the limelight for the wrong reasons. The closest example in which I can best describe it is one or more who feel books but fail to read them. In this case, the fictional Caucasian family group, The Pages and those in the positions of power of the record company, A-Chord, didn't see the importance of good music. They only looked forward to the outcome and its riches. Truthfully speaking, The Pages actually did have a decent sound, naturally Earth, Wind & Fire (The Group) was much better, however, they took their talents for granted with their ways of living - a wasted talent at the end of the day and this was brought upon by two of the three Pages mostly.
After carefully gathering my thoughts of the movie, I kind of had the feeling that the message this film was trying to portray is highly similar to the way the business is in today's music industry. There are many unsung talents of all kinds who have the capability and power within to do such wonderful, legendary things to enhance the goodness of this business but are placed on the back burner completely due to those in power who make it painfully obvious that they are careless about "great music". Their carelessness is such that they are willing to sell and market garbage just for success. It makes you sick almost to witness what people will do in order to receive fame. Harvey Keitel (Coleman Buckmaster) along with EWF had an amazing vision and way to relate to every day people through music. The future of music was very important to each of them but was best seen through Maurice White's character, Early, and Buckmaster.
The portrayal whose I enjoyed the most was Maurice's. He was always my favorite in Earth, Wind & Fire ever since I was 2 years old. I really did enjoy his friendship with Harvey Keitel's character; they were both two geniuses really, who shared the same love and passion for music. They were the two who the other band mates had counted on more than anyone else and for the most part Maurice trusted and believed in him when no one else really had. Even as Buckmaster left The Group blowing in the wind, what he and Maurice shared showed itself to be great once Maurice voiced his disappointments, but the film's end gave me great hope and faith that no matter how high to the top you go, those who'd done a tremendous deal in helping you succeed are the key ones never forgotten.
I strongly recommend this film to anyone with a dream. No matter what it is, continue to reach for the stars - while others may be an influence, only you can stop yourself from becoming your absolute best.
